Assembly OKs bill expanding landlord powers

MADISON—The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a Republican bill that would grant landlords more power over tenants.

The bill would allow landlords to dispose of any property an evicted tenant leaves behind, immediately tow parked vehicles and toss tenants out if a crime occurs on the property and the tenant was in a position to prevent it. Democrats contend the bill strips tenants of their rights and limits local governments' control over property in their jurisdiction.

The Assembly passed the measure 57-37 late Tuesday afternoon. The Senate passed the bill last month but the Assembly made minor technical tweaks to the measure's language Tuesday. The Senate must now sign off on those changes.